Leaves have a blue-green color, with a whitish vein on the upper surface of the blade. Grows to over five feet in height. Tap root can be five feet deep or more, making it hard to pull out. The seed pods are similar to tiny pea pods when opened, except there is just one seed per pod. When completely dry, the seeds turn deep purple. Seeds become viable comparatively early during seed production.

Likes disturbed soil.Used to make blue dye.Woad is an Antiseptic."Dyer" means, the person who Dyes clothing, in this case, deep blue.The first archaeological finds of woad seeds, dated to have lived in the Neolithic, were found inthe French cave of l'Audoste, Bouches du Rhone (France).Egyptians, used it to dye the cloth wrappings of mummies.The actual chemical is Indigo that stains very well.

Most livestock and wildlife won't graze it.

Used to protect wood against decay without dangerous chemicals.

In the UK it is used in inks, particularly for inkjet printers, and dyes.

woad is biodegradable and safe in the environment, unlike many synthetic inks. Isatis tinctoria is an invasive species in parts of the United States.A chemical found in Woad called glucobrassicin might be used to prevent cancer. Dyer's Woad has extra high levels of glucobrassicin.

The root is dried, then processed into granules, which are most commonly consumed dissolved in hot water or tea.Used to soothe sore throat and to treat influenza, measles, mumps, syphilis, or scarlet fever.